Mattress convertible into a sofa

ABSTRACT

A mattress that is convertible into a sofa has a first side section, a second intermediate section hingedly connected to the first side section, and a generally c-shaped third side section, hingedly connected to the second intermediate section. The first side section is foldable under the second intermediate section at the hinged connection between them, and third side section is foldable to over the second intermediate section at the hinged connection between them, to form a sofa, with the second intermediate section forming the seat of the sofa, and the C-shaped third side section forming arms and a back surrounding the seat.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates to mattresses, and in particular to a mattress that is convertible into a sofa.

BACKGROUND

This section provides background information related to the present disclosure which is not necessarily prior art.

Various sofas and couches convertible into beds are known. Often these convertible sofas and couches have elaborate mechanisms to support the sofa/couch and facilitate the conversion process.

SUMMARY

This section provides a general summary of the disclosure, and is not a comprehensive disclosure of its full scope or all of its features.

Embodiments of mattresses in accordance with the principles of this invention provide mattresses that can be quickly and easily converted from a mattress to a sofa, and from a sofa to a mattress. Generally, a mattress according to a preferred embodiment of this invention has a generally rectangular shape with first and second ends and first and second sides extending therebetween, and oppositely facing first and second surfaces separated by a thickness. The mattress preferably comprises a first side section, a second intermediate section, and a third side section.

The first side section is generally rectangular and has first and second ends and first and second sides extending therebetween. The first side of the first end section forms the first side of the mattress, and the first and second ends of the first side section form parts of the first and second ends of the mattress.

The second intermediate section is generally rectangular and has first and second sides and first and second ends extending therebetween. The first side of the second intermediate section is positioned adjacent the second side of the first side section, and it is hingedly connected thereto adjacent the first surface of the mattress. The first and second ends of the second intermediate section form part of the first and second ends of the mattress. The second side of the second intermediate section has a central tab projecting therefrom.

The third side section is generally C-shaped and has an open center adapted to receive the tab on the second side of the second intermediate section. The ends of the “C” of the third side section are hingedly connected to the second side of the second intermediate section on either side of the tab, adjacent the second surface of the mattress. The top and bottom of the “C” of the third side section forming parts of the first and second ends of the mattress. The back of the “C” of the third side section forms the second side of the mattress.

The first side section is foldable under the second intermediate section at the hinged connection between them, and the third side section is foldable to over the second intermediate section at the hinged connections between them, to form a sofa, with the second intermediate section forming the seat of the sofa, and the C-shaped third side section forming arms and a back surrounding the seat.

The mattress can optionally include a fourth section sized and shaped to adapted to fit under the projecting tab of the second intermediate section when the mattress is in its sofa configuration, to support the tab.

The first side section, the second intermediate section, and the third side section preferably each comprise at least one foam block enclosed in a cloth cover. Alternatively the first side section, the second intermediate section, and the third side section each can comprise at least one inflatable envelope enclosed in a cloth cover. In some embodiments some of the sections comprise foam blocks and some of the sections comprise inflatable envelopes. In some embodiments the inflatable envelopes are comprised of a polymer layer and a cloth layer. These inflatable envelopes preferably further comprise an adjustable self-closing valve to adjust the air pressure to vary the firmness of the section. In some embodiments, portions of the first side section, the second intermediate section, and the third side section can comprise a layer of gel memory foam.

The thicknesses of the first side section, the second intermediate section, and the third side section are the same and are preferably at least eight inches, and more preferably at least ten inches, so that the surface of the seat of the sofa is at least 20 inches above the bottom of the sofa.

At least one of the first side section, the second intermediate section, and the third side section can have a storage pocket formed therein.

Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the description provided herein. The description and specific examples in this summary are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

DRAWINGS

The drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes only of selected embodiments and not all possible implementations, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a convertible mattress constructed in accordance with the principles of this invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the convertible mattress constructed in accordance with the principles of this invention, in its sofa configuration;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of one possible construction of the first side section, the second intermediate section, and/or the third side section.

Corresponding reference numerals indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Example embodiments will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings.

A preferred embodiment of a mattress convertible into a sofa in accordance with the principles of this invention is indicated generally as 20 in FIGS. 1 and 2. As shown in FIG. 1, the mattress 20 preferably has the size and generally rounded rectangular shape of a conventional mattress, so that conventional bed sheets can be used. A conventional twin mattress is generally 39 inches by 80 inches, a full mattress is generally 54 inches by 75 inches, a queen mattress is generally sixty inches by 80 inches, and a king mattress is generally 76 inches by 80 images. The mattress is preferably a queen sized or king sized mattress, and most preferably a queen sized mattress, but the mattress could be some other conventional or non-conventional sized mattress if desired.

Generally, the mattress 20 has a generally rectangular shape with first and second ends 22 and 24, and first and second sides 26 and 28 extending therebetween. The mattress 20 has oppositely facing first and second surfaces 30 and 32 separated by a thickness. In accordance with the principles of this invention, the mattress 20 preferably comprises a first side section 34, a second intermediate section 36, and a third side section 38.

The first side section 34 is generally rectangular and has first and second ends 40 and 42, and first and second sides 44 and 46 extending therebetween. The first side 44 of the first end section 34 forms the first side 26 of the mattress 20, and the first and second ends 40 and 42 of the first side section 34 form parts of the first and second ends 22 and 24 of the mattress 20.

The second intermediate section 36 is generally rectangular and has first and second ends 48 and 50 and first and second sides 52 and 54 extending therebetween. The first side 52 of the second intermediate section 36 is positioned adjacent the second side 46 of the first side section 34. The second intermediate section 36 is hingedly connected to the first end section 34 adjacent the first surface 30 of the mattress 20. This hinged connection 56 may be, for example a ply of material connected between the first end section 34 and the second intermediate section 36. The first and second ends 48 and 50 of the second intermediate section 36 form part of the first and second ends 22 and 24 of the mattress 20. The second side 54 of the second intermediate section 36 has a central tab 58 projecting therefrom, forming recesses 60 and 62 adjacent the ends 48 and 50 of the second intermediate section 36.

The third side section 38 is generally C-shaped and has an open center 64 adapted to receive the tab 56 on the second side 54 of the second intermediate section 36. The ends 66 and 68 of the “C” of the third side section 38 are hingedly connected to the recesses 60 and 62 on the second side 54 of the second intermediate section 36 on either side of the tab 56, adjacent the second surface 32 of the mattress 20. These hinged connections 70 and 72 may be, for example, plies of material connected between third side section 38 and the second intermediate section 36. The top and bottom 74 and 76 of the “C” of the third side section 38 forms parts of the first and second ends 22 and 24 of the mattress 20. The back 78 of the “C” of the third side section 38 forms the second side 28 of the mattress 20.

In its mattress configuration, the mattress 20 provides a flat, horizontal sleeping surface. However the mattress 20 is quickly and easily converted to a sofa configuration, by folding the first side section 34 under the second intermediate section 36 along the hinged connection 56 between them.

This supports the second intermediate section above the ground, as shown in FIG. 2. The third side section 38 is foldable to over the second intermediate section 36 at the hinged connections between them, to complete the sofa. The second intermediate section 36 forms the seat 80 of the sofa, and the third side section 38 forms the back 82 and arms 84 and 86 of the sofa.

The mattress can optionally include a fourth section (not shown) sized and shaped to adapted to fit under the projecting tab 58 of the second intermediate section 36, when the mattress is in its sofa configuration, to support the tab.

In some preferred embodiments, the first side section 34, the second intermediate section 36, and the third side section 38 each comprise at least one foam block enclosed in a cloth cover. This foam can be a high density polyurethane, other suitable foam such as memory foam, latex foam, gel foam or reticulated foam. In some embodiments, one or more of the sections 34, 36, and 38 can be filled with the same type of materials used in bean bag chairs, such as micro beads, expanded polystyrene (EPS) beads, expanded polypropylene (EPP) beads, or small chopped foam clusters. It is also possible that in some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 3 one or more of the sections 34, 36, and 38 can have an innerspring construction consisting of pocketed coils 100 in between a top and bottom layers 102 and 104, of a foam for example a resilient high latex foam . The innerspring section may also be encased with a circumferential foam perimeter 106, for example of latex foam, and optionally upper and lower pads 108 and 110, for example of felt. Finally a cushioning layer 110 of foam, for example a liquid gel infused engineered latex foam.

The cloth cover can be a natural fiber fabric, such as linen, cotton, or wool, or a synthetic fiber fabric, such as an acetate acrylic, nylon, olefin, polyester, rayon, or blends thereof. The sofabed may also be compressed so that it may be marketed in a color box with wheels and a handle for convenient display in a mass merchant store.

In other preferred embodiments, the first side section 34, the second intermediate section 36, and the third side section 38 each comprise at least one inflatable envelope enclosed in a cloth cover. The inflatable envelop can be made of polyvinyl chloride (PVC), textile-reinforced urethane plastic, or natural or synthetic rubber. In particular, a multi-ply material comprising a polymer layer and a cloth layer can be used. Like their foam counterparts described above, the inflatable envelopes can be enclosed in a cloth cover to protect the envelopes, provide a more comfortable surface, and facilitate the hinged connections described above. These inflatable envelopes further comprises an adjustable self-closing valve to adjust the air pressure to vary the firmness.

In still other preferred embodiments, some of the sections can comprise foam blocks and some of the sections can comprise inflatable envelopes. In other embodiments, some of the sections can comprise both foam blocks and inflatable elements. In some embodiments portions of the first side section, the second intermediate section, and the third side section can comprise a layer of gel memory foam.

The thicknesses of the first side section, the second intermediate section, and the third side section are the same and are preferably at least eight inches, and more preferably at least ten inches, so that the surface of the seat 80 of the sofa is at least 20 inches above the bottom of the sofa.

At least one of the first side section 34, the second intermediate section 36, and the third side section 38 has a storage pocket (not shown) formed therein.

The foregoing description of the embodiments has been provided for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure. Individual elements or features of a particular embodiment are generally not limited to that particular embodiment, but, where applicable, are interchangeable and can be used in a selected embodiment, even if not specifically shown or described. The same may also be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the disclosure, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the disclosure. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A mattress that is convertible into a sofa, the mattress having a generally rectangular shape with first and second ends and first and second sides extending therebetween, and oppositely facing first and second surfaces separated by a thickness, the mattress comprising: a first side section, the first side section being generally rectangular and having first and second ends and first and second sides extending therebetween, the first side of the first end section forming the first side of the mattress, and the first and second ends of the first side section forming parts of the first and second ends of the mattress; a second intermediate section, the second intermediate section being generally rectangular and having first and second sides and first and second end extending therebetween, the first side of the second intermediate positioned adjacent the second side of the first side section, and hingedly connected thereto adjacent the first surface of the mattress, and the first and second ends of the second intermediate section forming part of the first and second ends of the mattress, and the second side of the second intermediate section having a central tab projecting therefrom; and a third side section, the third side section being generally C-shaped and having an open center adapted to receive the tab on the second side of the second intermediate section, and the ends of the C of the third side section being hingedly connected to the second side of the second intermediate section on either side of the tab, adjacent the second surface of the mattress, the top and bottom of the C of the third side section forming parts of the first and second ends of the mattress, and the back of the C of the third side section forming the second side of the mattress; the first side section being foldable under the second intermediate section at the hinged connection between them, and third side section being foldable to over the second intermediate section at the hinged connection between them, to form a sofa, with the second intermediate section forming the seat of the sofa, and the C-shaped third side section forming arms and a back surrounding the seat.
 2. The mattress that is convertible into a sofa according to claim 1, further comprising a fourth section adapted to fit under the projecting tab of the second intermediate section, when the mattress is in its sofa configuration.
 3. The mattress that is convertible into a sofa according to claim 1, wherein each of the first side section, the second intermediate section, and the third side section comprises at least one foam block enclosed in a cloth cover.
 4. The mattress that is convertible into a sofa according to claim 1, wherein each of the first side section, the second intermediate section, and the third side section comprises at least one inflatable envelope;
 5. The mattress that is convertible into a sofa according to claim 1, wherein each inflatable envelope is enclosed in a cloth cover.
 6. The mattress that is convertible into a sofa according to claim 1, wherein each inflatable envelope is comprised of a polymer layer and a cloth layer.
 7. The mattress that is convertible into a sofa according to claim 4, wherein each inflatable envelope further comprises an adjustable self-closing valve to adjust the air pressure to vary the firmness.
 8. The mattress that is convertible into a sofa according to claim 1 wherein portions of the at least the second intermediate and third side sections comprise a layer of gel memory foam.
 9. The mattress that is convertible into a sofa according to claim 1 wherein at least one of the first side section, the second intermediate section, and the third side section is at least partially filled with beads.
 10. The mattress that is convertible into a sofa according to claim 9 wherein the beads are polymer foam beads.
 11. The mattress that is convertible into a sofa according to claim 1 wherein at least one of the first side section, the second intermediate section, and the third side section is at least partially filled with a plurality of foam clusters.
 12. The mattress that is convertible into a sofa according to claim 1 wherein at least one of the first side section, the second intermediate section, and the third side section comprises coil springs at least partially enclosed by foam.
 13. The mattress that is convertible into a sofa according to claim 1 wherein the thicknesses of the first side section, the second intermediate section, and the third side section are the same and are is at least eight inches.
 14. The mattress that is convertible into a sofa according to claim 1 wherein the thicknesses of the first side section, the second intermediate section, and the third end side section are at least ten inches.
 15. The mattress that is convertible into a sofa according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the first side section, the second intermediate section, and the third side section has a storage pocket formed therein.
 16. A mattress that is convertible into a sofa, the mattress having a generally rectangular shape with first and second ends and first and second sides extending therebetween, and oppositely facing first and second surfaces separated by a thickness, the mattress comprising: a first side section, the first side section being generally rectangular and having first and second ends and first and second sides extending therebetween, the first side of the first end section forming the first side of the mattress, and the first and second ends of the first side section forming parts of the first and second ends of the mattress; a second intermediate section, the second intermediate section being generally rectangular and having first and second sides and first and second end extending therebetween, the first side of the second intermediate positioned adjacent the second side of the first side section, and hingedly connected thereto adjacent the first surface of the mattress, and the first and second ends of the second intermediate section forming part of the first and second ends of the mattress, and the second side of the second intermediate section having a central tab projecting therefrom; and a third side section, the third side section being generally C-shaped and having an open center adapted to receive the tab on the second side of the second intermediate section, and the ends of the C of the third side section being hingedly connected to the second side of the second intermediate section on either side of the tab, adjacent the second surface of the mattress, the top and bottom of the C of the third side section forming parts of the first and second ends of the mattress, and the back of the C of the third side section forming the second side of the mattress; the first side section, the second intermediate section, and the third side section being of the same thickness of at least 10″, the first side section being foldable under the second intermediate section at the hinged connection between them, and third side section being foldable to over the second intermediate section at the hinged connection between them, to form a sofa, with the second intermediate section forming the seat of the sofa, and the C-shaped third side section forming arms and a back surrounding the seat. 